Hillsboro recorder., 1887-10-27
RAILROAD DEATH-HAVoc.
Three Accidents In Which Many People nre
Killed and Wounded.

a passenger train, scheduled as the first
section Of No. 81, left Atlanta, Ga,
on fhe Piedmont Air Line Railroad,
crowded to its utmost carrying capacity
on time, with Engineer Wall and Con-
ductor Marshall in charge. A second
section left Atlanta heavily loaded, two
hours after, running only to Greenyille,
where it arrived at SEQ q. m. TIE
passenger train consisted OF seven coaches,
mail, baggage and express cars. Owing
to the large number of passengers, max
ing many stops necessary, the train lost
time for the entire distance to Greenville,
s. c., arriving there over four hours late.
At this point, the second section was laid
out, and No. 81 received orders giving it
the right of way, and left the station at
sos, four hours and twenty-five minutes
behind schedule time. The train was as
sured clear track, orders having been
telegraphed to the south bound freight
to side track at Greer's station until num-
Der 81, arrived. 1t looks as if these or
ders were disregarded by Conductor Har-
ris and Engineer Revel of the freight,
thereby causing the wreck and loss of.
life. The two trains came together in
the fatal crash in cut at the end of
long curve, three and one-half miles
south of Greer's station, at $3.50 a. m.
Both trains were running at accelerated
speed, gained by reason of the down
grade TO the cut in which they met, and
there was no warning to the engineers of
either train until few seconds before they
struck, giving no time for escape, and
the escape of the engineer OF the freight
train, as far as known, without injury,
must be regarded as miraculous.
The wreck took fire from the engines, but
beyond the destruction of box car, no
damage resulted from the flames. Sew
eral cars Of both trains were badly
wrecked and were piled up in a chaotic
mass, the express, mail and baggage car
being literally torn to pieces. The debris
filed both sides Of the cut, making it
somewhat difficult TO assist
the injured from the wreck.
The following is list of the killed and
injured: Bob Wall, engineer passenger
train; Louis Webster, fireman freight
train; Mrs. Hamp M'Dowell, Of Ashe-
Vile; J. II. Erwin, express messenger,
one leg broken and foot mashed; Edward
Harnett, fireman passenger train, arm
torn ard mangled, also badly scalded !;
recovery doubtful; Phillip Black (cd-
/ ored), freight brakeman, conclusion OF
brain; Chaplain Chase, Spartanburg, S.
G., ugly cash in leg: Willie Z win,
brother of express messenger, bruised !;
Miss Mary M'Dowell, Asheville, n. G.,
ankle badly injured; Miss b. F. Quinn,
Washington, ID. c.; Misses Mary and
Mamie Erwin, Asheville, n. c., bruised /;
james Kildan, mail agent, GreenvilIe, S.
G., bruised; w. II. Wilson, mail agent,
Atlanta, painfully bruised; S. NJ. Dyke
man, mail agent, Atlanta, painfully
bruised; a colored brakeman, two other
men, and a tramp, names not known.
There are conflicting reports as to the
neer Of the freight train, but asthey have
not been seen since the fatal crash, it is
presumed that they feared the conse.
anences Of an affair for which they arc
held responsible, and disappeared.
Tie fast express on the Chesapeake l.
Ohio Rtilroad, consisting Of six coaches,
going west, met with au accident twelve
miles below ChaFlestown, w. Va, in
which .6 passengers were more or less in
inred. None were killed outright, but
several were seriously hurt. The acci-
dent was caused bY defective switch,
over which the engine, baggage, express
and mail cars passed unharmed, but the
three middle coaches, all well flied with
passengers, were thrown from the track,
and two Of them tuning com
pleiely over, one turning twice
Trains Nos. $40 aud 341 on the Erie
road collided one mile east Of Great Val
lcy station. n. Y. The engines Of botl
trains were wrecked and several cars wer'
demolished. The conductor Of train No
$40 received severe internal injuries. W
lIankius. fireman, had his left leg crushed
aud received internal injuries. Ills le-
was amputated nc the knee. Il is thought
Hankins. Conductor Cooney and Brake
nau Mcfarland will die. The edispatcheI
ii lIornellsville is said to be responsible
for the collision.